Series of Questions from a New Player

[Dischord]

Evening, everyone! I'm an old-time RPer that has been away from the hobby for about 5 or so years now, and I've been looking to get back into it. I've been reading up on lore and such, and I have to say, this is a very well-established universe. Well done, writers! However, I do have a few questions, some lore-related, and some not.

1) I plan on roleplaying a Kelvic with the animal form of an elephant, and I was wondering how exactly the transformation process works. I ask because, as an elephant, I see myself carrying quite a bit of equipment and such, and if I were attacked while doing so, I might want to change into human form, and I wouldn't want the packs to crush me, haha.

2) I plan on playing as a bard who attracts people with music and tries to lead into offering escort services for a fee. I'm wondering how I should distribute skill points for this. In general, will people be more inclined to hire me based on how how my weapon/combat skill are?

3) I'm married to another avid roleplayer that has been off the scene for a bit. Would it be out of line for the two of us to start roleplaying with our characters together from the get-go, provided we give a backstory? Would it be better for us to start separately and then meet somewhere down the line? Should we just have our characters avoid each other all-together?

Thanks in advance. Hope you all have a great night.

[Orakan]

Hey there and welcome! It's wonderful you're looking to get back into it and, in my humble opinion, Mizahar is a great place to take the plunge (I did much the same)! I can offer some help on your latter two questions but will refrain from the Kelvic one as I feel there are others far more knowledgeable than I am that can better assist you on that topic.

2.) I'm not sure I 100% follow what you mean in that first sentence. If you are interested in making your character a bard (i.e entertainer) then your pay would depend on your performance - musical/singing/storytelling/dancing/etc - skill (pay increases each time you reach the next level of proficiency in the main skill required for your particular occupation). The price list will fast become your best friend here (found under the 'Master List' section on the top bar/banner at the top of the page) and if you go the 'income' section, you will see what you are set to make as a Performer/Busker/Bard (4gm/d).

To make a living in Mizahar, each character is required to write two job threads per season (both must be 2500 words each) which you then turn in to receive your pay. You don't necessarily need to be hired by other characters; there are npc lists in each city that you can use for employment purposes as well. However, I strongly recommend finding out who the storyteller is of the city you wish to start in and reaching out to them.

Lastly, were you alluding to the D&D style of bard? If so, you can work on building your character that way through RP and increase magical and combat skills as you go. It all depends on the sort of character you want to write. Have a good look at the income section if you need a bit of help pinning down your character's exact occupation.

3.) I don't believe this would be a problem at all. You are welcome to create and build characters together; friends join together all the time. Just remember to say hey to the rest of us from time to time. Plus, there are usually events, quests and seasonal challenges that will require you to interact with others

[Dischord]

Hey, thanks for the reply! Sorry for not being clear here. The idea is that I would play music for money, but I would also have a sign near me, offering my services as a mercenary to escort from city to city for a fee.

[Orakan]

Hm, I don't believe a character is allowed to have two jobs at once. What I would recommend in order to achieve something to that effect would be to make your character a mercenary (main income: 1-3gm/d) but also write threads where he is actively busking. It will be up to the thread grader how much he makes in those threads, however, and tip earnings will naturally reflect skill level (other social skills would help as well).

Does that help at all?

[Dischord]

I was thinking more along the lines of playing music for my regular income, but then maybe having the thread open for other players to hire me for travel. Would that be allowed?

[Orakan]

I'm just not sure how feasible this concept is in general (especially for a starting character) since you would need sufficient skill in a weapon, riding and wilderness survival for the necessary biomes in which your character would be travelling in for people to even consider you (there are probably other skills that I am missing). Lores factor in here, as well, of which you can only start with two. Plus, travel is not something taken lightly due to the wilds and land outside of the main cities being very dangerous. Most save up to join in a caravan or earn passage on a ship.

I'm not trying to be a Debbie Downer, just realistic. I hope you understand. The least complicated option would be to go with what I suggested, maybe have his job threads revolve around him being part of a group that escorts a caravan to build those skills up and see how things progress.

Again, this is something you could discuss with the ST of your starting city.

[Dischord]

Alright, I'll give it some thought. Shouldn't be too hard to get into a caravan as an elephant Kelvic. Thanks for the help!

[Gossamer]

Hi there and welcome.

Kelvic transformations are explained in the lore. You basically disolve in a swirl of colored lights to move from form to form. No gear or clothing transfer. If you shift under an elephant sized load, crushing is a definite risk!

I hope that helps. All the other questions get answered?

[Dischord]

Indeed they did. Thank you both for the help!